No fatalities

Airplane Departs Runway During Landing Practice, Strikes Ditch

Poplar Grove, IL, United States

On November 18, 2012, a CESSNA 172N was involved in an aviation accident near Poplar Grove, IL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

During landing practice on runway 12, an airplane drifted right, departed the runway, struck a ditch, and sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. No mechanical failures were reported.

Introduction

A pilot was practicing takeoff and landings on runway 12. During one landing roll, the airplane began to drift to the right. The pilot applied a rudder correction to counteract the drift.

Landing Roll and Runway Excursion

Despite the rudder input, the airplane continued to deviate from the runway centerline. It departed the runway to the right and subsequently struck a ditch. The impact with the ditch caused structural damage to the aircraft.

Damage to Aircraft

The nose landing gear assembly and propeller were bent during the collision. Additionally, the left wing struck the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing spar.

Mechanical Status

No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported that would have precluded normal operation. The aircraft was operating as expected prior to the incident.

Contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 18 Nov 2012 CESSNA 172N accident near Poplar Grove, IL?

During landing practice on runway 12, an airplane drifted right, departed the runway, struck a ditch, and sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. No mechanical failures were reported.

Were there any fatalities in the 18 Nov 2012 CESSNA 172N accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 18 Nov 2012 involved a CESSNA 172N, at Poplar Grove, IL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing.